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Monday, November 19, 2012

ARRESTS AT ENGLISH PREMIER LEAGUE STADIUM FALLS BY 30%

Supporter safety at Premier League grounds has never been greater after a Home Office report showed that football-related arrests fell by more than 30% last season.

According to the Richard Scudamore, Premier League Chief Executive, more than 13 million fans went to the 380 matches in the Barclays Premier League last season and during that time 814 arrests were made, a rate of 2.14 a match. This was down from 1,191 in the 2010/11 season.

There were significant drops in arrests for public disorder and violent disorder, as well as for racist chanting and pitch incursions.

“It is not by accident that arrests rates at Premier League matches have fallen by nearly a third over the past season. This is down to years of hard work and co-operation between all those involved in football in this country. Tribute should be given to our 20 clubs and the way they have worked with supporters' bodies, the police and local authorities to make grounds safe but passionate.

“The Premier League is now the most watched and supported football league in the world and with that comes responsibility. Over the last two decades our clubs have worked tirelessly to make Premier League grounds more welcoming and are striving to deliver a first-rate experience for all fans.

Not only are our grounds currently 95% full but the audience for Premier League football has never been more diverse: 23% of attending fans are female, 11% are black or ethnic minority and 13% of season-ticket holders are children.”

The police also welcomed the figures. "This decrease in the number of football-related arrests and banning orders is encouraging and shows the police service has worked hard with football clubs and supporters’ associations to ensure genuine fans can attend games without incident,” said Assistant Chief Constable Andy Holt, the Association of Chief Police Officers lead on football policing.

The Football Safety Officers Association called the reduction “encouraging”, putting much of it down to good stewarding and good ground safety management.